Combination crib and cradle with variable height mattress supporting frame



NOV. 1, 1949. R s, DAVls 2,486,466

COMBINATION CRIB AND CRADLE WITH VARIABLE Filed May 27, 1947 HEIGHT MATTRESS SUPPORTING FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 0- UT lll H HTH lHllH Hlllll Tl'mm 22 K "i INVENTOR.

R0 BERT S DAVIS B'Y' ATTORN EYS Nov. 1, 1949. R. s. DAVIS COMBINATION CRIB AND CRADLE WITH VARIABLE HEIGHT MATTRESS SUPPORTING FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1947 INVENTQR. ROBERT S. DAVIS AT TORNEYS Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES VARIABLE HEIGHT ING FRAME Robert S. Davis, Ajo, Ariz., assignor of one-half to Robert E. Edgington, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 27, 1947, Serial No. 750,752

5 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in a combination crib and cradle with variable height mattress-supporting frame. It consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved arrangement for elevating or lowering a mattress-supporting frame relative to a crib or cradle. When this frame is raised into elevated position, the stooping of an attendant to reach an infant is entirely eliminated. Likewise, the bed is readily accessible at a convenient working height for changing, making up, etc.

In this connection, it is proposed to provide a crib or cradle with a variable height mattresssupporting frame that may be raised or lowered with the minimum of exertion by the attendant.

'The device is counter-balanced and may be easily adjusted to compensate for increased weight as an infant grows.

More specifically described, I provide one of the end boards of a crib or cradle with a swingable panel.

The latter normally occupies an upright position and forms part of that end.

When the panel is swung into horizontal position,

the mattress-supporting frame is automatically elevated and is projected endwise through a recess provided in this end board. The panel serves as a table when it is moved into horizontal position. Also, I provide a storage cabinet on the undersurface of that portion of the mattresscarrying frame which is moved outwardly through the recess, thereby making the cabinet accessible to the attendant.

A still further object of my invention is to provide rockers on a crib that may be moved into operative position to convert the latter into a cradle. The end boards of the crib are provided with feet adapted to rest on a floor when the rockers are disposed in inoperative position. Upon rocking the cribv laterally until the feet at one side of the crib rest on the floor and the feet on the other side are elevated sufficiently to free the rockers for movement into operative position, the rockers are moved automatically into the latter position.

A still further object is to provide a device of the character described, which is simple in construction, durable and efiicient for the purpose intended.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of my combinaalong the line VII-VII of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is an isometric view of one of the stops tion crib and cradle, the mattress-supporting frame being raised and the rockers extended into operative position;

Figure 2 is an end' elevation of the foot board (right-hand end of Figure 1), with its swingable panel fully raised, and the rocker thereon extended to rock upon the floor;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the lower portion of Figure 2 with the rocker in folded or inoperative position;

' Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through my crib and cradle, parts being shown in elevation and the mattress-supporting frame being disclosed in depressed position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but with the mattress-supporting frame elevated;

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken that I employ, the view being taken from the underside of the stop.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, I provide a crib structure including a head board A, foot board B, and opposing sides 0 and D. Although I have used the term board, I do not desire to be confined to a solid piece of material. In general usage, the terms head board and foot board are used, even though these ends are fabricated or made of open construction.

The side C and the lower section DI of the side D are secured to the head and foot boards and co-act therewith tof'orm a crib structure. An upper section D2 of the side D is hinged to the lower section by hinges l. The upper section may be retained in upright position by any suitable means. For this purpose, I have illustrated sliding bolts 2 for securing the upper section D2 to the end boards A and B. When the bolts are withdrawn, the upper section may be swung downwardly over the lower section to allow a child to climb into or out of the crib.

The foot board B is provided with a recess 3 (see Figure 2) into which a panel BI is movable. This panel is hinged at 4 to the foot board and is swingable from upright position, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, into horizontal position, as

illustrated in Figures 1 and 6.

A mattress-supporting frame E is mounted in the crib structure, and includes a rectangular frame 5 carrying the usual bed Springs (not shown) on which a mattress 6 is disposed. The frame 5 has been disclosed as being made from angle iron having its marginal flange 5a extending upwardly so as to retain the mattress in place.

Referring now to Figures 5 to '7, inclusive, it will be noted that I provide a swingable frame F within the crib structure for supporting one end of the mattress-carrying frame E when the latter is elevated, as in Figure 6. The frame F is U-shaped and has its arms 1 formed with trunnions 8. The latter are iournalled in sides DI and C.

The frame F swings between the sides DI and C and has its cross bar I pivotally connected to the mattress-carrying frame E by suitable bearing blocks II fixed to the underside of the mattress-carrying frame. Cross braces fa reinforce the arms of the swingable frame (see Figure 7).

Counterweights f2 are adjustably fastened to the lower ends of the arms I by winged set screws I4, or the like. These counterweights offset the combined weights of the mattress frame E m'at tress 6, the necessary bedding and the infant. Very little effort is required on the part of the attendant in elevating the mattress-carrying frame. As the infant increases in weight, the counterweights may be adjusted downwardly along the arms T of the swingable frame. The arms I strike against rubber cushions Ia on stops l5 fastened to side. panels DI and C when the mattress-carrying frame is fully elevated, as in Figure 6. It will be understood that springs could be used instead of the counterweights, if desired.

A pair of spaced-apart brackets G have their ends it fixed to the swingable panel BI. The arms I! of these brackets are secured to a clevis type bracket (or a ball and socket joint) I8 mounted on the underside of the frame E. As the panel BI is moved. from upright into horizontal position, the arms IT elevate the right-hand end of the mattress-carrying frame. The latter is projected outwardly through the recess 3 and extends beyond the foot board B (see Figures 1 and 6). The ends I6 and arms IT are not at exact right angles to each other. Where the arms I'I attach to the clevis-type brackets I8, they are slightly lower than the hinges 4.. With this design, when the mattress frame is in a natural or depressed position, it has a tendency to lower at this end. This prevents the mattress frame from raising automatically when not desired, even though a locking mechanism M (described later) is not locked.

A storage cabinet H is secured to the underside of the frame E with clearance h for bed springs and moves therewith. This cabinet is provided with sliding drawers I9 for storing infants necessities, etc. This storage cabinet has bottom a, ends I), back 0 and top d formed. into a single unit. The latter especially serves to keep dust, etc., which may fall from the mattress, from entering the upper drawer of the compartment. When the panel BI is horizontally disposed, it serves as a table; and the cabinet H is located conveniently above the table provided by the panel Bf (see Figure 6). The attendant can stand in a natural upright posture and serve the infant without stoopi'ng or bending.

Another storage cabinet J of similar design is provided in the base of the crib structure at the head of the latter. Drawers 20 operate inwardly and outwardly through the side section D I. This cabinet allows unobstructed movement of the mattress-carrying frame E and the swingable frame F. The cabinets H and J are built into the crib structure for added convenience, and are a necessity where living quarters are limited.

In order to convert the crib structure into a cradle, I have provided rockers K at the bottoms of the head and foot boards A and B, respectively. These boards are recessed, as at H, to define feet 22 at the sides of the crib structure that are adapted to rest on a floor L (see Figures 3 and 4). Conventional spring hinges 23 connect the rockers to the head and foot boards.

When the feet 22 are resting on the fioor L, as in. 3 and 4, the rockers K are folded inwardly under the crib structure. However, as soon as the crib is rocked laterally until the feet on one side of the structure rest upon the floor and the feet on the opposite side are elevated above the floor sufiiciently to free the rockers, the latter are automatically swung into operative position by the spring hinges. The springs of these hinges are designated at 23a in Figure 2. The curved undersurfaces 24 of the rockers bear against the floor when the rockers are arranged in operative position and thus the crib is converted into a cradle.

In Figure 2, I show one form of a locking mechanism M for holding the panel BI in upright position. This mechanism is located at a convenient height for the attendant. A casing 25 is anchored to the panel BI by screws 25a and encloses the upper section of a lever 23. The latter is pivoted to the panel BI, as at 21., and has an operative handle 28 extending from the casing through a slot 29 formed therein.

Locking bolts 30 are accommodated within the casing and are hinged to the lever 26 by pins 3|. The bolts 30 extend in opposite directions from the lever and pass through suitable guides 32. Apertured lugs 33 project from the foot board B and are arranged to receive the free ends of the bolts 39 when the panel BI. is moved into the recess 3. A spring 34 urges the lever into the position shown in Figure 2 so as to project the locking bolts into the apertured lugs.

Having thus described the various features of my combination crib and cradle, the operation thereof is briefly summarized as follows:

When an attendant desires to change the bedding, make the bed, or otherwise serve the infant, the operating handle 28 is moved toward the left in Figure 2. This will free the locking bolts 30 from the apertured lugs 33. Thereafter,

, the panel BI- is swung from its normal upright position, as in Figures 2 and 5, into a horizontal position shown in Figures 1 and 6.

During this lowering of the panel BI, the swinging frame F and brackets G will elevate the mattress-supporting frame E and project one end of the latter through the recess 3 formed in the foot board B. The cabinet H raises with the frame E and is made accessible to the attendant.

When it is desired to depress the mattresssn-pporting frame again, the panel BI is raised to upright position. The frame F and brackets G will lower the mattress-carrying frame into the crib structure. Stops 35 of the shape shown in Figure 8 support the frame E when the latter is depressed. These stops are triangular in plan view and are designed to form corner braces to make the bed structure more rigid. The mattress frame, when depressed, rests on the top 35a of the stops. The flange 35b attaches to the sides DI and C, while the flange 35c attaches to the head and foot boards. The locking bolts 30 are reinserted into the apertured lugs 33 to prevent accidental raising of the mattress frame.

When the device is being used as a crib, the feet 22 rest upon the floor L, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The attendant can convert the crib into a cradle by merely rocking it laterally until the feet 22 at one side of the crib rest on the floor and the feet 22 at the opposite side are elevated suihciently to allow the rockers K to snap into operative position, as in Figures 1, 2 and to 7, inclusive.

The arms I and I! may be made adjustable, if desired, so as to raise the mattress-supporting frame E to different elevations, depending upon the height of the attendant.

I claim:

1. In a crib of the character described; spacedapart head and foot boards; sides interconnecting these boards and co-acting therewith to provide a crib structure; frame arranged in the crib structure and being moveable between depressed and elevated positions; 9. swingable frame journalled to the crib structure and also pivotally connected to the mattress-carrying frame adjacent one end of the latter; the swingable frame constituting a support for said end of the mattress-carrying frame when the latter is elevated; one of said boards having a panel hinged thereto; and means operated by the panel for elevating and supporting the other end of the mattress-carrying frame when the panel is swung into a predetermined position.

2. In a crib of the character described; spaceda-part head and foot boards; sides interconnecting these boards and co-acting therewith to provide a crib structure; a mattress-carrying frame arranged in the crib structure and being moveable between depressed and elevated positions; a swingable frame journalled to the crib structure and also pivotally connected to the mattresscarrying frame adjacent one end of the latter; the swingable frame constituting a support for said end of the mattress-carrying frame when the latter is elevated; one of said boards having a panel hinged thereto; and means operated by the panel for elevating and supporting the other end of the mattress-carrying frame when the panel is swung into a predetermined position; the swingable frame being counterweighted to facilitate raising of the mattress-carrying frame.

3. In a crib of the character described; spacedapart head and foot boards; sides interconnecting these boards and co-acting therewith to provide a crib structure; a mattress-carrying frame arranged in the crib structure and being moveable between depressed and elevated positions; a swingable frame journalled to the crib structure and also pivotally connected to the mattresscarrying frame adjacent one end of the latter; the swingable frame constituting a support for said end of the mattress-carrying frame when the latter is elevated; one of said boards having a recess therein of sufiioient width for endwise passage of the mattress-carrying frame therethrough; a panel hinged to the recessed board and disposed in the recess when the panel is in upright position; the panel being moveable into horizontal position; and means connecting the a mattress-carrying panel with the other end of the mattress-carrying frame for elevating and supporting the latter and projecting said other end of the mattresscarrying fram'e outwardly through the recess when the panel is moved into horizontal position.

4. In a crib of the character described; spacedapart head and foot boards; sides interconnecting these boards and co-acting therewith to provide a crib structure; a mattress-carrying frame arranged in the crib structure and being moveable between depressed and elevated positions; a swingable frame journalled to the crib structure and also pivotally connected to the mattresscarrying frame adjacent one end of the latter; the swingable frame constituting a support for said end of the mattress-carrying frame when the latter is elevated; one of said boards having a recess therein of sufficient width for endwise passage of the mattress-carrying frame therethrough; a panel hinged to the recessed board and disposed in the recess when the panel is in upright position; the panel being moveable into horizontal position; and means connecting the panel with the other end of the mattress-carrying frame for elevating and supporting the latter and projecting said other end of the mattresscarrying frame outwardly through the recess when the panel is moved into horizontal position; the panel extending beyond the mattresscarrying frame to form an unobstructed table when the panel is horizontally disposed.

5. In a crib of the character described; spacedapart head and foot boards; sides interconnecting these boards and co-acting therewith to provide a crib structure; a mattress-carrying frame arranged in the crib structure and being moveable between depressed and elevated positions; a

journalled to the crib structure swingable frame and also pivotally connected to the mattresscarrying frame adjacent one end of the latter; the swingable frame constituting a support for said end of the mattress-carrying frame when the latter is elevated; one of said boards having a recess therein of sufiicient width for endwise passage of the mattress-carrying frame therethrough; a panel hinged to the recessed board and disposed in the recess when the panel is in upright position; the panel bein moveable into horizontal position; means connecting the panel with the other end of the mattress-carrying frame for elevating and supporting the latter and projecting said other end of 'the mattresscarryinlg frame outwardly through the recess when the panel is moved intohorizontal position; and a storage cabinet secured to the undersurface of that portion of the mattress-carrying frame which is moved outwardly through the recess; the cabinet being arranged above the panel and accessible when the latter is horizontally disposed.

ROBERT s. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 385,633 Kelly July 3, 1888 2,452,838 Come Nov. 2, 1,948 

